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DDD – Pho Hong with Monica Petras ’18

We’re back with one of our favorite segments- Dining Halls, Dominos, and Dives- Where we get to the tour all the best places to eat in Burlington, and catch up with your classmates!

This week, we met up with Monica Petras at Pho Hong for some delicious vietnamese food, and chatted about her upcoming plans to spend a year in Japan!

So, without further ago- here’s all the good stuff.

So, just a quick disclaimer- We all really love Pho Hong, and get VERY EXCITED when our food arrived. This meant we absolutely forgot to get those beautiful pristine glamour shots of our food that you guys are used to. But, we did remember before the food was completely gone! Here’s what we got:

Monica went with the classic Pho Tai- complete with beef and veggies.

Dana got Bun Ga Nuong – Grilled chicken over vermicelli noodles

And, here’s where Kathryn’s Rau Cai Xao Voi Com – Stir fry with veggies and shrimp – SHOULD be, but she has very little patience.

What are you up to your first year out of UVM?

At the moment, I’m waiting for my exciting new job in Japan to start.

I was offered a position to teach English to children for the 2019 school year in a conversational school last April. Until February I’m just biding my time, earning money with a part time job at Michaels and trying to sell furniture/downsize. And while I’m working at Michaels, I decided I might as well pick up a new hobby or two (or five). Basically I feel like Rapunzel singing “When Will My Life Begin”, just without the awesome hair.

What are you looking forward to next year?

This ones a double-edged sword for me here, while I’m very excited to start my life in Japan, I’m also terrified. I’m moving there by myself, so there will definitely be a lot of challenges in adapting to life overseas in a country where I can’t speak the language fluently—and I thought moving to university was scary. But I’m willing to take them on and I can’t wait to start teaching.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge?

Aside from the obvious language barrier, I think the time difference will be tough. I can’t call up my friends whenever I want anymore. 😞 So keeping in touch will be difficult.

What are you most proud of since graduating UVM?

I guess it feels silly but my greatest accomplishments thus far have been in my new hobbies. I’ve picked up felting, coloring books, and baking. I’ve made felt animals, bread and a showstopping cake for my friends birthday (though the cake had a few technical issues).

What do you miss the most about UVM?

I miss the structure that my days used to have with classes, papers/projects, and club activities. I miss the professors. Most of all I miss feeling like I belong on campus.

Walking through the Davis Center after our lunch was quite the surreal experience.

Any life lessons?

You don’t truly know how much stuff you’ve amassed until you try to pack every thing you own into a box or suitcase.